Month: May 2017

It might seem hard to believe, but this blog has been around for seven years now, making it my oldest “baby”. As is not the case where my actual children are concerned, I’m having a hard time coming up with reflections on how its existence has changed me, or what it means to me. After seven years, BCRL is just another fact of my life. Or, I should say, another habit. I blog because it’s part of my routine, but I rarely think about it. That’s not to say that I don’t put thought into my posts – because I do, or at least, as Ron Burgundy would say, “60% of the time, I do it every time” – but there’s no grand plan behind it. I write about whatever’s on my mind and won’t be embarrassing to have attached to my name for eternity. One thing I’ve learned in 7 years is that you never know who is reading.

Time for a quick walk down memory lane, you say? Why, that seems only natural. [Note: after I went through the archives for all the Mays since 2010, picking out an outfit I liked best from each of those months, I realized that I somehow ended up with a whole lotta pants. The irony — for someone who professes to hate pants — is not lost on me. I blame our capricious weather for the selection.]

7 years ago6 years ago5 years ago4 years ago3 years ago2 years ago1 year ago

I don’t know if I know more or less about style now than when I started. I’m pretty sure I know only a fraction more about the blogging business, and most of what I do know, I’ve been too lazy to implement. I hope I’m a better writer now, though this blog is probably not the best yardstick for measuring my progress. I still don’t have a media kit, and SEO talk continues to baffle me as much as it ever did.

And, no, I have no giveaways to bestow in celebration of this anniversary. Sorry.

I had a hard time motivating myself to write this post, and by now you are probably starting to understand why. The only thing there is to celebrate is the fact that I’m still here – repeated threats to quit notwithstanding. This is kinda how I imagine the mood of Eyeore’s birthday parties to be. Whoooo ho … huh. Sigh.

But you know what? There is, in fact, a reason to write this post. Because, like Eyeore’s awesome friends, you are here too.

I’ve said it before, and on further reflection (prompted by my anniversary musings), it bears saying again: I blog because I like talking to you guys about things that are interesting to me – whether that’s clothes or books or TV shows or things I’ve seen or done. I may be out of touch in thinking that the point of blogs is talking to people; perhaps that’s a notion that was more accurate in 2010 than in 2017. Regardless, it’s how I have always thought of this blog – as a conversation with like-minded people – and I’m too old now to change. My favourite posts are those where you write back … and, believe it or not, I don’t care if you’re only writing to tell me that I’m dead wrong. [As a side note, I have been fortunate in that, whether in discourse or even in point-blank criticism, my readers have been unfailingly polite. Thank you for that, and for taking the time to write.]

I have greatly enjoyed getting to know some of you, indirectly, through the comments you have left on my blog over the years. I know, I know; that sounds like a big hunk of fromage … but it’s true. Y’all are smart, and funny, and full of really good book recommendations. [Keep them coming!] I was thinking back on the last seven years, and making a mental list of all the things that have happened in my life during that time; I got married, had two kids, wrote 3 books, changed career course, met some amazing people … the list goes on. And it got me wondering: I would love to hear about what’s been happening in your lives. So if you’re feeling up to it, leave a comment and tell me when you started reading BCRL and what is different nowadays.

Oh, and if you are so inclined, feel free to add suggestions for topics you’d like to see tackled here – or, perhaps I should say, conversations you’d like to have. I’m all ears.

The last time I wore this dress, I was in Mexico. Sadly, this time, the beach was nowhere to be seen, although it was at least a sunny spring day — a rare commodity in Edmonton this year. I love how comfy this dress is — with the chiffon layer conveniently camouflaging one’s mid-section — which is why I’ve kept it in my closet for the summer rather than relegating it to my vacation capsule. It’s perfect for a Sunday when I want to be lazy, but I also have to go in to the office for a few hours of work. Whomp, whomp.

dreaming of the beach …nope, not there either

The topper is a different colorway of my fave Cartonnier Dashes blazer. I picked it for this outfit because it’s very soft and stretchy, and therefore appropriately comfortable for the occasion, and right on the line between casual and business-casual, and therefore appropriate for a working Sunday. It also happens to go with the dress, which is a small miracle; I have found this colorway to be super non-versatile for my closet. So my advice to anyone still hunting for this blazer on eBay: buy the dark grey/heathered black version instead. There are also two additional colorways (purple and a teal-ish blue), but I can’t speak to their versatility yet; I may have to hunt them down yet (I’m thinking the purple in particular) just so I can provide you a complete report. In the interests of science or something. Ahem.

This dress was a total impulse buy on eBay, and while it was a great deal, I’m not sure it was a great idea. I *think* my thought process was something along the lines of “I need to refresh my work dress line-up, and I should branch out from floral prints”; all fine and good, and this dress certainly meets those criteria — it’s new (to me), and it’s got a non-floral print. I like the colours, I like the artsy geometric print … and yet, somehow, I’m not sure this dress is very “me”. [Edited to add: on further reflection, I think it’s the colours that are “off”. I like them in principle, but I’m not sure they work all that well with my wardrobe palette.]

close-up

Still, I have to make it work, right? I did my best, you guys. Luckily, I just thrifted some cognac pumps (after many years of searching) and they go well with the burnt orange/brown colour in the print. I was initially stumped for a topper; between the vibe of the dress, and its shape, most of my go-to blazers looked “off” when paired with it. Thankfully, I noticed the grey-blue of the dress matched my Tabitha wool jacket, and the two pieces didn’t seem to totally clash. I left the dress unbelted, so as not to cover that critical bit of blue. I don’t like making outfits inspired solely by necessity but when you’ve got a “closet orphan” on your hands, you often don’t have a choice. Note to self: step away from the eBay after 10:00PM. It’s Bad Decision Central.